Cricket: Gallant play opens competition

Ben Hyde

The Bella Homes Northland First XI are on the way to defending their 2014 Brian Dunning Trophy win, with some gallant play in the opening rounds of the Northern Districts Representative One-Day Competition.

Amassing a total of 230/10 off 49.2 overs in the first innings of their round two match against Poverty Bay yesterday, Northland backed-up their six-wicket, round one win over Waikato Valley in emphatic fashion with some impressive form against Poverty Bay.

Dismissed for six runs off 19 balls in Northland's win over Waikato Valley, Ben Hyde turned the tables to attain a good knock of 43.

Surpassing 100 runs around midday, Northland kicked into a commanding position with Tyler Lortan finishing on 41 runs and Neal Parlane achieving 70 runs off 86 balls. Struggling at the crease, Poverty Bay were stuck between a rock and a hard place as Northland seamer Cody Andrews ripped their batting order to shreds - 2-6 after his initial two overs, which included one maiden, Andrews transferred his round one form into the Poverty Bay match, and as this edition went to print Poverty Bay were 23/2 off 9.2 overs.

Enjoying a six-wicket win over Waikato Valley on Day One, an impressive 3-29 from Andrews and 3-32 from Shaun Beamish kept Northland in sight of the round one win.

With the bat, Tyler Lortan etched 70 not-out on to the Northland scorecard which was followed up by 22 runs from Neal Parlane and 25 runs from Henry Cooper to settle Northland's run chase after losing Hyde and Brad Kneebone early on for low scores.

The Northland First XI play Bay of Plenty today in round three.

Also playing yesterday, the Bella Homes Northland Primary Boys side dealt Bay of Plenty a hefty blow, with Cole Jakicevich-Roberts and Will Roberts putting on a superb opening partnership in the second innings to secure a 10-wicket win on Day One of the Northern Districts Primary Boys 2015-16 three-day competition in Hamilton.

Winning the toss, Bay of Plenty opted to bat first and made it to 117/10 off 35.1 overs, with Northland's Paita Edmonds bowling 2-18 and Potter managing 4-27.

However, Northland's top order of Jakicevich-Roberts (37), Potter (35) and Kian Bird (11) made light work of the total, securing the required runs in under 27 overs.

-For full results and analysis, go to: www.ndcricket.co.nz/tournaments/draws